A tightly contested AL East race lies ahead.
Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
MLB Opening Day is set for March 18 in Tokyo and March 27 in North America, and with Spring Training in full swing, here’s how all the lineups are projected to look, according to MLB.com.
AL East
Toronto Blue Jays
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s last Opening Day in Toronto? Maybe. Either way, with Anthony Santander in town, the lineup looks stacked – and so does the rotation.
Lineup
- George Springer, LF
- Bo Bichette, SS
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B
- Anthony Santander, RF
- Alejandro Kirk, C
- Will Wagner, DH
- Daulton Varsho, CF
- Andrés Giménez, 2B
- Ernie Clement, 3B
Rotation
- José Berríos, RHP
- Kevin Gausman, RHP
- Chris Bassitt, RHP
- Max Scherzer, RHP
- Bowden Francis, RHP
Baltimore Orioles
They’ll miss Anthony Santander, and after last year’s postseason collapse, they need Jackson Holliday – and the whole lineup – to step up.
Lineup
- Gunnar Henderson, SS
- Jordan Westburg, 3B
- Adley Rutschman, C
- Colton Cowser, RF
- Tyler O’Neill, LF
- Ryan O’Hearn, DH
- Ryan Mountcastle, 1B
- Jackson Holliday, 2B
- Cedric Mullins, CF
Rotation
- Zach Eflin, RHP
- Grayson Rodriguez, RHP
- Charlie Morton, RHP
- Dean Kremer, RHP
- Tomoyuki Sugano, RHP
Tampa Bay Rays
From AL East champs in 2023 to… whatever 2024 was. The lineup looks different, the rotation is a mystery, and the Rays remain impossible to predict.
Lineup
- Yandy Díaz, 1B
- Brandon Lowe, 2B
- Junior Caminero, 3B
- Josh Lowe, RF
- Christopher Morel, LF
- Jonathan Aranda, DH
- Danny Jansen, C
- Jonny DeLuca, CF
- Taylor Walls, SS
Rotation
- Shane McClanahan, LHP
- Drew Rasmussen, RHP
- Ryan Pepiot, RHP
- Shane Baz, RHP
- Taj Bradley, RHP
Boston Red Sox
Where does Rafael Devers play? Where does Alex Bregman play? More questions than answers, but hey – welcome to Boston, Garrett Crochet.
Lineup
- Jarren Duran, LF
- Rafael Devers, 3B
- Alex Bregman, 2B
- Triston Casas, 1B
- Trevor Story, SS
- Masataka Yoshida, DH
- Connor Wong, C
- Wilyer Abreu, RF
- Ceddanne Rafaela, CF
Rotation
- Garrett Crochet, LHP
- Tanner Houck, RHP
- Brayan Bello, RHP
- Walker Buehler, RHP
- Lucas Giolito, RHP
- Kutter Crawford, RHP
New York Yankees
No Juan Soto. Maybe a broken-down Giancarlo Stanton. Still no third baseman. They’ve got speed, defense, and pitching – but if Aaron Judge doesn’t produce the way he did last season, offense might be an issue. Also, is this finally Anthony Volpe’s breakout year?
Lineup
- Jasson Domínguez, LF
- Aaron Judge, RF
- Cody Bellinger, CF
- Giancarlo Stanton, DH
- Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B
- Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
- Austin Wells, C
- Anthony Volpe, SS
- DJ LeMahieu, 3B
Rotation
- Gerrit Cole, RHP
- Max Fried, LHP
- Carlos Rodón, LHP
- Luis Gil, RHP
- Clarke Schmidt, RHP
- Marcus Stroman, RHP
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AL Central
Cleveland Guardians
Right field on Opening Day will depend on the pitcher. Jhonkensy Noel and Will Brennan are in the mix, but Gabriel Arias has the experience. Rotation battle will be just as tight – McKenzie needs to bounce back or risk losing his spot to Logan Allen, Joey Cantillo, or Slade Cecconi.
Lineup
- Steven Kwan, LF
- Kyle Manzardo, DH
- José Ramírez, 3B
- Carlos Santana, 1B
- Lane Thomas, CF
- Will Brennan, RF
- Bo Naylor, C
- Juan Brito, 2B
- Brayan Rocchio, SS
Rotation
- Tanner Bibee, RHP
- Luis Ortiz, RHP
- Gavin Williams, RHP
- Ben Lively, RHP
- Triston McKenzie, RHP
Kansas City Royals
Bobby Witt Jr.: MVP runner-up again, or does he take the crown? Jonathan India helps, but their rotation and left field is still a problem. Can Alex Verdugo find a home in Kansas?
Lineup
- Jonathan India, 2B
- Bobby Witt Jr., SS
- Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B
- Salvador Perez, C
- MJ Melendez, LF
- Hunter Renfroe, RF
- Michael Massey, DH
- Maikel Garcia, 3B
- Kyle Isbel, CF
Rotation
- Cole Ragans, LHP
- Seth Lugo, RHP
- Michael Wacha, RHP
- Michael Lorenzen, RHP
- Kris Bubic, LHP
Detroit Tigers
Gleyber Torres rocking a beard in Detroit now (even though he now could in the Big Apple too). Tarik Skubal and Jack Flaherty lead a quietly elite rotation.
Lineup
- Parker Meadows, CF
- Matt Vierling, RF
- Riley Greene, LF
- Kerry Carpenter, DH
- Gleyber Torres, 2B
- Colt Keith, 1B
- Jace Jung, 3B
- Trey Sweeney, SS
- Jake Rogers, C
Rotation
- Tarik Skubal, LHP
- Jack Flaherty, RHP
- Reese Olson, RHP
- Jackson Jobe, RHP
- Casey Mize, RHP
Minnesota Twins
A deep, talented group – if they stay healthy. Rocco Baldelli has plenty of lineup combos to play with, and there are some exciting youngsters waiting in the wings.
Lineup
- Edouard Julien, 2B
- Carlos Correa, SS
- Trevor Larnach, LF
- Byron Buxton, CF
- Royce Lewis, 3B
- Jose Miranda, DH
- Matt Wallner, RF
- Ty France, 1B
- Ryan Jeffers, C
Rotation
- Pablo López, RHP
- Bailey Ober, RHP
- Joe Ryan, RHP
- Chris Paddack, RHP
- Simeon Woods Richardson, RHP
Chicago White Sox
Luis Robert Jr. trade rumors aren’t going away, and Drew Thorpe’s delayed debut means the rotation is still a work in progress. Austin Slater provides a righty bat, but expect a lot of moving pieces.
Lineup
- Mike Tauchman, RF
- Josh Rojas, 2B
- Luis Robert Jr., CF
- Andrew Vaughn, 1B
- Andrew Benintendi, DH
- Miguel Vargas, 3B
- Michael A. Taylor, LF
- Colson Montgomery, SS
- Korey Lee, C
Rotation
- Jonathan Cannon, RHP
- Martín Pérez, LHP
- Davis Martin, RHP
- Bryse Wilson, RHP
- Sean Burke, RHP
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AL West
Los Angeles Angels
Another lost year for Mike Trout, or can the Angels finally do something worth watching?
Lineup
- Taylor Ward, LF
- Luis Rengifo, 2B
- Mike Trout, RF
- Jorge Soler, DH
- Nolan Schanuel, 1B
- Logan O’Hoppe, C
- Jo Adell, CF
- Yoán Moncada, 3B
- Kevin Newman, SS
Rotation
- Tyler Anderson, LHP
- Yusei Kikuchi, LHP
- José Soriano, RHP
- Kyle Hendricks, RHP
- Jack Kochanowicz, RHP
Houston Astros
Jose Altuve’s position switch is the only real question. The top six in the lineup are loaded, and the rotation has depth – same old Astros.
Lineup
- Jose Altuve, LF
- Isaac Paredes, 3B
- Yordan Alvarez, DH
- Christian Walker, 1B
- Yainer Diaz, C
- Jeremy Peña, SS
- Chas McCormick, RF
- Mauricio Dubón, 2B
- Jake Meyers, CF
Rotation
- Framber Valdez, LHP
- Hunter Brown, RHP
- Ronel Blanco, RHP
- Spencer Arrighetti, RHP
- Hayden Wesneski, RHP
Oakland Athletics
Brent Rooker is fully fit, and Luis Severino leads the rotation. Small victories for Oakland.
Lineup
- Lawrence Butler, RF
- Brent Rooker, LF
- JJ Bleday, CF
- Shea Langeliers, C
- Tyler Soderstrom, 1B
- Miguel Andujar, DH
- Zack Gelof, 2B
- Gio Urshela, 3B
- Jacob Wilson, SS
Rotation
- Luis Severino, RHP
- JP Sears, LHP
- Osvaldo Bido, RHP
- Jeffrey Springs, LHP
- Joey Estes, RHP
Seattle Mariners
No major offensive additions unless Jorge Polanco bounces back. But the pitching is still elite and still intact for another year.
Lineup
- Victor Robles, RF
- Julio Rodríguez, CF
- Cal Raleigh, C
- Randy Arozarena, LF
- Luke Raley, 1B
- Mitch Garver, DH
- Jorge Polanco, 3B
- Dylan Moore, 2B
- J.P. Crawford, SS
Rotation
- Luis Castillo, RHP
- Logan Gilbert, RHP
- George Kirby, RHP
- Bryce Miller, RHP
- Bryan Woo, RHP
Texas Rangers
Center field is up for grabs between Leody Taveras and a healthy Evan Carter. Nathaniel Lowe is out, Jake Burger is in, and Joc Pederson adds some pop. Also, Jacob deGrom is (finally) back. After winning it all in 2023, they were practically invisible in 2024, maybe time to find their footing again.
Lineup
- Marcus Semien, 2B
- Corey Seager, SS
- Wyatt Langford, LF
- Adolis García, RF
- Joc Pederson, DH
- Josh Jung, 3B
- Jake Burger, 1B
- Jonah Heim, C
- Evan Carter, CF
Rotation
- Jacob deGrom, RHP
- Nathan Eovaldi, RHP
- Jon Gray, RHP
- Cody Bradford, LHP
- Tyler Mahle, RHP
mlb
Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.
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